By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Recent appearances by Kim Ju Ae at significant state events, such as the Korean People’s Army founding anniversary and a visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, coupled with indications of her involvement in policy discussions, lead the NIS to assess that she has entered the phase of being designated successor.
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The whispers from Seoul suggest that Kim Jong Un has made a rather significant choice, appointing his teenage daughter as his heir apparent. It’s a development that’s certainly raising eyebrows, not just because of the age of the potential successor, but also because of the symbolic shift it represents in a nation deeply entrenched in tradition and a rather rigid patriarchal ideology. We’ve seen her increasingly by her father’s side in recent months, and in many of those carefully curated state photographs, she’s been positioned not trailing behind him, but standing shoulder-to-shoulder, an equal in the frame.
This visual emphasis is no accident in North Korea; state media images are, as we know, potent tools of propaganda. To see anyone, let alone a young girl, granted such prominence, suggests a deliberate grooming for a future role. It’s a stark contrast to the images we might have held of Kim Jong Un himself, perhaps still perceived as the “son” in a dynastic line, as we all grow older and perceptions shift. Now, a new generation is poised to inherit the reins, and this time, it’s a daughter.
The sheer visual of Kim Jong Un, who doesn’t strike one as particularly tall, standing next to his young daughter, who appears to be gaining on him in stature, is quite striking, almost comically so. It brings to mind certain comedic pairings, though the charm factor might be debatable. Still, this public display of her growing presence is a clear signal.
One can’t help but wonder about the optics of this. Will this young woman be presented as a softer face for North Korea, a way to lull the international community into a false sense of security while the country continues to grapple with widespread hunger and internal hardship? It’s a scenario many anticipate, a carefully constructed image of progress masking ongoing realities. The very notion of North Korea potentially having a female leader before a global power like the United States is, frankly, quite a thought.
While the opinions of the average North Korean citizen likely hold little sway, the internal dynamics within the country’s elite are fascinating to consider. Juche, the guiding ideology, has historically leaned heavily on patriarchal structures. How will the top brass, steeped in this ideology, react to a female “Glorious Supreme Leader”? There are women in high positions, yes, but this is a different magnitude of leadership.
Based on the observed tendencies of Kim Jong Un’s sister, who it’s worth noting reportedly holds significant power and may have played a role in the daughter’s rise, there’s speculation that the young heir might feel compelled to overcompensate. To prove her mettle, she might adopt an even more stringent and perhaps ruthless leadership style to earn recognition and respect in a system that may be inherently skeptical of female authority.
The idea that this staged public life for the young Kim is akin to a reality show, or perhaps even a fictional narrative playing out, is a common sentiment. It’s like watching a drama unfold, complete with potential for unexpected twists. Some foresee her becoming one of the most formidable leaders North Korea has ever seen, precisely because she will face challenges and scrutiny specifically because she is a woman, forcing her to be exceptionally strong or, conversely, exceptionally cruel to overcome those obstacles.
The sheer power wielded by Kim Jong Un’s sister is a factor that cannot be ignored. It’s widely believed she is a key figure, and her influence might have paved the way for her niece’s ascension, or perhaps she has her own ambitions that might clash with this young heir. The notion of North Korea having a female leader before the US is, for many, a source of bemused irony, a reversal of expectations.
The practicalities of leadership also spark curiosity. Will she be expected to adopt the iconic, distinctive haircut that has become a hallmark of North Korean leaders, a visual continuity in a potentially new era? The thought of his sister, given her own prominent role, potentially orchestrating the young girl’s downfall is a chilling but not entirely implausible scenario, given the ruthless nature of power struggles. This feels like a story ripe for dramatic retellings, perhaps drawing parallels to historical accounts of succession battles.
There’s a stark contrast being drawn by some between North Korea preparing a female heir and what they perceive as the societal issues in the United States, where concerns about the treatment of women and children are raised in different contexts. It’s a comparison that highlights a perceived hypocrisy in global leadership and values. Some wryly observe that “cutie pie,” as she’s been somewhat ironically dubbed, might be a feminist in her own right, though the context is far from empowering.
The prevailing sentiment among many observers is that Kim Jong Un’s sister is likely none too pleased about this development, especially if she was considered the primary successor. The idea that the leader of North Korea is merely a “glorified crime boss” also surfaces, suggesting that the international impact of any leader, male or female, from such a regime might be limited, with change more likely to come from internal collapse or revolution.
The image of Kim Jong Un appearing somewhat worn out in recent photographs also fuels speculation about his own health and the urgency of securing a succession plan. The notion of North Korea as a de facto monarchy is already firmly established, and the idea of formal royal titles is not a stretch for some. There’s a sense of a peculiar form of “progress” being made, with North Korea’s dictatorship appearing more forward-thinking than others in certain aspects.
The idea of a young, teenage dictator is almost a fictional concept, perhaps something out of a dystopian novel or a dark comedy, with the irony of a Disney-esque “Life as a teenage dictator!” being a fitting tagline. The immense pressure on such a young individual to embody the absolute power and ruthlessness expected of a North Korean leader is almost unimaginable. The chances of her *not* being a cruel and tyrannical sociopath, given the circumstances of her upbringing and the demands of her potential role, are seen by many as exceedingly slim.
For young women in North Korea, this could be presented as an aspirational narrative: that with immense privilege and the right family connections, they too could ascend to unimaginable power. However, the underlying message is that this path to power is paved with absolute control and potentially immense suffering for others. The question of her romantic life, while seemingly trivial, also arises, with some jokingly suggesting potential matches for a “self-absorbed tyrant.”
The possibility of the young heir having aspirations beyond dictatorial rule, like becoming a K-pop star, adds a touch of surreal humor to the situation. Regardless, the public appearances she’s made clearly indicate a trajectory towards leadership. Whether this is a genuine succession plan or a tactic to keep options open for a male heir remains a subject of debate.
The persistent jokes about dictators having stylish haircuts aside, the hope lingers, however faint, that a new leader might usher in an era of reform, a potential reunification with South Korea, and a more free and prosperous life for the North Korean people. But the immediate outlook, given the context and the speculated power dynamics, suggests a continuation of the established order, with a new, young face at its helm, potentially facing immense pressure and having to prove herself in the most brutal of ways.